1 Rewarm victim
2Warm victim in bed
3Summon help
54 FIRST AID
Hypothermia
The onset of hypothermia is a reaction to the cold and happens when body temperature falls below 95 ° F( 35 ° C). Hypothermia may develop gradually if the victim is in a poorly heated house, or rapidly if the victim is in freezing weather or immersed in cold water. Your aims are to warm the victim gradually and to seek medical help if needed.
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
• Shivering
• Cold, pallid skin
• Weak pulse
• Confusion and apathy
• Extreme fatigue
TREATING HYPOTHERMIA
1 Rewarm victim
• Get the victim into a shelter.
• Replace any wet clothes with warm, dry clothes and then wrap her in a survival blanket.
• If the victim is indoors, is young and healthy, and is not lethargic or confused, help her into a warm, but not hot, bath and allow her to soak.
After a bath, wrap her in warm towels
2Warm victim in bed
• Put the victim to bed and cover her well with blankets.
• If she is still very cold, help her put on a hat and gloves.
• Give her a warm drink to sip.
Cover her head with a hat
Help her to sip a warm drink
! Important
• Do not give the victim alcohol to drink.
• Do not give the victim a hot-water bottle or place her beside a fire or any
other source of heat.
• If the victim loses consciousness, open her airway, check her breathing, and be
prepared to begin resuscitation( pp. 12 – 20).
3Summon help
• If the victim is elderly or a baby, or if her condition worries you, call a doctor.